Union County Students Win Scholarships

UNION COUNTY – Students from Cranford and Union were among those who recently won scholarships from Spencer Savings Bank, a community bank headquartered in Elmwood Park.

Imani McClendon, who attended Union Senior High School; Gabriel Silveira, who attended Burnet Middle School in Union; John Armstrong, who attended Cranford High School; and Yueqing Chen, who attended Hillside Avenue School in Cranford, were among the winners.

N.J. Spencer Savings Bank granted McClendon and Armstrong $1,000 scholarships, while Chen and Silveira each received a $500 Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA) as a reward for the hard work they have shown throughout the entirety of their educational career and their dedication to the community’s growth and well-being.

Since the program was founded in 2002, Spencer Savings Bank has awarded a total of 270,500 in scholarships to youth in the communities it serves. This year, Spencer Savings Bank’s $22,500 scholarship fund was divided among 15 high school students and 15 middle school students within the bank’s communities, including Clifton, Cranford, Elizabeth, Elmwood Park, Garfield, Garwood, Lodi, Lyndhurst, North Caldwell, Nutley, Roselle, Saddle Brook, Union, Wallington and Wayne. The students were selected based upon their academic record, history of community service and future interest in a career in business, finance or banking.

“I extend my sincere congratulations,” said José B. Guerrero, president, chairman and CEO of Spencer Savings Bank. “Education is a principal focus for the bank, and it is through initiatives like our scholarship program that we demonstrate our commitment to supporting the growth of local students, who we confidently believe will continue to contribute to our community in the future.”

An award ceremony was held on June 26 to honor the students and recognize them for their notable achievement.